Farnsworth inducted into alternative energy hall of fame

Lee Ann Murphy

Friday

May 11, 2018 at 9:54 AM

Dubbed a practical visionary, Crowder College former president Dr. Kent Farnsworth was honored as the second inductee into the Crowder Alternative Energy Hall of Fame this week. Retired Crowder College instructor Art Boyt was inducted last year.

Dubbed a practical visionary, Crowder College former president Dr. Kent Farnsworth was honored as the second inductee into the Crowder Alternative Energy Hall of Fame this week. Retired Crowder College instructor Art Boyt was inducted last year.Farnsworth served as Crowder College President from 1985-2004, then as interim president in 2013-14. Under his tenure, Crowder was named by the Missouri Legislature as the Missouri Alternative And Renewable Energy Technology (MARET) Center in the state. Farnsworth's long-time support for alternative energy and practice has been invaluable to the program."As you recall, in 2017-2018 we have celebrated 40 years of offering alternative energy at Crowder College," Dr. Jennifer Methvin, Crowder College president, stated in her opening remarks. "We have celebrated the 25th anniversary of the Missouri General Assembly's designation of Crowder as THE Missouri Alternative and Renewable Energy Center for our state, we have celebrated the 5th anniversary and rededication of the Roy Blunt Missouri Alternative And Renewable Energy Center."Last year, to mark the 5th anniversary, the MARET center was renamed the Roy Blunt MARET Center to honor United States Senator Roy Blunt for his support of Crowder's alternative energy program and designation of the center.A number of elected officials, community leaders, Crowder faculty and staff, students, alumni, and supporters gathered for Farnsworth's induction and tours of the recently remodeled solar houses on campus. Students from both Crowder College and area high school students who attend classes at the Crowder College Technical Education Center (CTEC) participated in the recent renovation of the two solar houses on campus. Their work was noted and they participated in a ribbon cutting to re-open the 2005 solar house. Both homes were open for tours following the Hall of Fame inductionCrowder College Board of Directors Chairman Andy Wood noted that half of the years that Crowder has been involved in alternative energy have been during Farnsworth's guidance. "Under Dr. Kent Farnsworth's tenure, Crowder College's alternative energy accomplishments were many, too many to talk about today." According to Wood, Farnsworth is both a skilled leader and a unique one. "In addition to being a practical visionary who can capture potential, Kent Farnsworth is a doer," Wood said. "Kent never asked anyone to do anything he was not willing to do himself."MARET Center Director, Dr. Melissa Oates, inducted Farnsworth into the Alternative Energy Hall of Fame, noting Farnsworth's long support and involvement in the program, which continues today."Dr. Farnsworth was a catalyst for the alternative energy program at Crowder," Oates said. "Last month, Kent and Holly (Farnsworth) opened their home on Earth Day for a sustainable living tour. It is my honor to induct you into the Crowder College Alternative Energy Hall of Fame.""I'd like to thank Art Boyt, the first inductee," Farnsworth said when he accepted the honor. "I need to tell you, though, that when Melissa (Oates) and Dr. Methvin approached me about this, I said I'm not the right choice or the second choice. There are a number of other people whose vision, inspiration, courage and hard work had a lot more to do with this than I did."Farnsworth shared a few memories of his time as college president and his participation in a historic solar car race in Australia and he also stated, "During my time at Crowder, beyond the personal relationships that I enjoyed, by far and the most important things that affected me the most and changed my life in many ways were servant leadership and tutoring by Jim Tatum."Farnsworth and his wife Holly are proponents of alternative energy and live in a state of the art solar home. "I do think all of us should feel at least some responsibility to being good stewards. It's just a part of living," Farnsworth said."I am greatly honored to receive this recognition," Farnsworth stated in closing. "And, I appreciate all those whose shoulders I stood on to have this opportunity and know they will receive the recognition they deserve."After the induction ceremony, students participated in a ribbon cutting for the recently renovated 2005 solar house. Tours of both solar houses were also offered as well as light refreshments.The Roy Blunt MARET Center is located on the Crowder College campus in Neosho.

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